Solomon Airlines has launched the LAEFLAEN “Wings of Change” Children's charity project.
The national carrier will start collecting loose change donations from passengers on board the national carrier’s flights and Point Cruz Sales office effective from 1 July, in an ongoing effort to gather much needed funds to support two essential Solomon Islands children’s charities.
The airline joined in the philanthropic effort by Telekom (Our Telekom) and South Pacific Oil (SPO) who will both match $ for $ funds received from inflight and Sales office donations.
Funds gathered and matched by the three partners will be further expanded by additional fundraising activities.
The ongoing effort will support the Honiara City Council run Children’s Clinic (Pikinini Referral Clinic) and The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society run school for disabled children (SDC).
The Pikinini Referral Clinic serves the entire child population of Honiara City including children aged 12 and under, and also the needs of child patients from Guadalcanal Province. The partners aim is to procure much needed medical equipment for the clinic at an estimated cost of SBD50K.
“We are very appreciative that Solomon Telekom (Our Telekom) and South Pacific Oil (SPO) have joined us in both of in these projects,” said Solomon Airlines CEO Mr Gus Kraus.
“With our partners and through the generosity of our passengers, we hope to quickly support the hardworking staff at Pikinini Referral Clinic to provide care for the children,” said Solomon Airlines CEO, Mr Gus Kraus.
“Together we are very committed to supporting this essential facility and understand there is an urgent need for equipment from stethoscopes, otoscopes, and thermometers to infant scales,” he added.
The ‘Loose Change for Children’ fundraising will also support The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society school for disabled children (SDC) located at Riffle Range, West of Honiara. The school caters for the educational needs of children with special needs including the hearing and visually impaired.
“Our team have identified this project as one they very much wish to support, based on the belief that every child has unique abilities and challenges, and all deserve to be valued, understood and embraced by society,”Mr Kraus commented.
“We are therefore embarking on a project to raise SBD$50k to urgently repair and maintain the school’s classrooms.
Special appreciations to Tourism Solomons staff Club, Bred bank staff club, Gus Kraus & Family , Frank Wickham & Family and Josefa Wivou & Family for pledge and donations towards the charity project during the launch.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we are committed to the principle of inclusion and that extends across the broader community. Through awareness campaigns, and partnerships with like-minded organisations, we will do our part to help create a more inclusive and compassionate society.”
Source: Press Release, Solomon Airlines